bris1, f. (gs. ~e, pl. ~eanna).Loss. ~ a dhéanamh ar dhuine, to bring loss (of money, property,) on s.o. Luí faoi bhris, to endure a loss; to accept a bad bargain. Rud a dhíol faoi bhris, to sell sth. at a loss. Is mór an bhris air é, it is a great loss to him. Níor mhaith liom do bhris, I would not wish any misfortune to happen to you. Ní maith liom do bhris, I sympathize with you on the death, I am sorry for your trouble. Do bhris a thabhairt isteach, to recoup one’s losses. Is beag an bhris é, it is no great loss. Nár imí de bhris na bliana orainn ach é, (of minor misfortune) may nothing more serious happen to us till the year be out.

bris2, v.t. & i. Break. 1. Rud a bhriseadh (as a chéile, ina dhá chuid, ina phíosaí), to break sth. (asunder, in two, in pieces). Géag a bhriseadh de chrann, to break a bough from a tree. Talamh a bhriseadh, to cultivate, reclaim, land. Long a bhriseadh, (i) to wreck a ship, (ii) to break up a ship. ~eadh an bád ar na carraigeacha, the boat was smashed against the rocks. Claí, droichead, a bhriseadh, to break down a dike, a bridge. Bearna, poll, a bhriseadh ar rud, to make a gap, a hole, in sth. Bhris siad an glas ar an doras, they forced the lock of the door. ~ an bosca, break, break open, the box. ~ na cártaí, cut the cards. Bhris sé an litir, he opened, tore open, the letter. Bairille a bhriseadh, to tap a barrel. Tá na barra ag ~eadh na cré, the tops are breaking through the soil. Ná ~ do chos, don’t break your leg. Tá siad ag ~eadh na gcos ina dhiaidh, they are forever running after him; they are crazy about him. ~eadh a mhuineál, he sustained a broken neck. Bean chomh maith is a bhris arán riamh, as hospitable a woman as ever lived. Droim an bhacaigh a bhriseadh le déirc, to kill s.o. with kindness. 2. Croí duine a bhriseadh, to break s.o.’s heart. Bhris siad a chlú, they took away his good name, destroyed his reputation. Ná ~ do shláinte, don’t ruin your health. Bhris sé anáil an chapaill, he caused the horse to become broken-winded. Bhí na focail á mbriseadh ina bhéal, he could scarcely speak with emotion. Ní a bhriseadh do scéil é, not interrupting your story. 3. Bhris an fhoighne orm, my patience gave out. Níor bhris mo chumha, my sorrow did not cease. 4. Nós, margadh, a bhriseadh, to break a custom, a bargain. An dlí, an tsíocháin, a bhriseadh, to break the law, the peace. Ná ~ do ghealltanas, don’t break your promise. Bhris sé a bhannaí, he broke bail. Bhris mé an céalacan, an Carghas, I broke the morning, Lenten, fast. Tá tú ag ~eadh na saoire, you are breaking the Sabbath, working on a holy day. 5. Rialtas a bhriseadh, to bring down a Government. Oifigeach a bhriseadh, to break an officer. ~eadh as a phost é, he was dismissed from his post. ~eadh as a oidhreacht é, he was deprived of his inheritance. ~eadh as a ghnó é, he was put out of business. Ní bhrisfidh sé thú, it will not ruin you. 6. Capall a bhriseadh, to break a horse. An cnoc a bhriseadh, to break the gradient of the hill. An mheá a bhriseadh, to tip the scales. Cath a bhriseadh ar arm, to defeat an army in battle. Bhris sé an t-áth orthu, he carried the ford against them, drove them from the ford. Bhris an long a feistiú, the ship broke its moorings. Bhris sé bonn, he broke ground, fled. Bhris an charraig an ghaoth dúinn, the rock shielded us from the wind. An spéir a bhriseadh, to break up the clouds, to cause rain. 7. Tá an aimsir ag ~eadh, the weather is breaking, deteriorating. Tá na tonnta ag ~eadh faoi thír, the waves are breaking on the coast. Bhris an bhoilgeog, an neascóid, the bubble, the boil, burst. Bhris an sioc, the frost began to thaw. Bhris an bainne, the milk curdled. Bhris an chuigeann, butter began to form in the churn. Bhris an bruach liom, the bank gave way under me. Bhris an gol uirthi, she broke into tears. Tá a ghuth ag ~eadh, (of boy) his voice is breaking. 8. (Of money, bills) Change. Airgead, punt, a bhriseadh, to change money, a pound. Bille a bhriseadh, to negotiate a bill. Bhris sé seic dom, he cashed a cheque for me.